(3) 4-6 Orchard Novel series. Illustrated by Natalie Andrewson. In the third Orchard novel, Olive, Peter, Lizzie, and Sarah are excited for Garrison Orchard's zombie hayride. But Olive's skepticism about the paranormal threatens the tight-knit quartet. Set in small-town New England, a diverse cast includes Olive's two dads, a lesbian mayor, and townsfolk of various racial/cultural backgrounds. Sweet and fast-paced with a touch of the supernatural, this friendship story will appeal to established fans and new series readers.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Orchard Novel series. Illustrated by Natalie Andrewson. Sarah and her lifelong BFF Lizzie try to earn enough money at the Garrison Family Orchard ice cream stand to host a zombie hayride. But will their friendship be ruined by the arrival of twins Olive and Peter? Set in a small New England town, this well-paced story has a sweet moral and notable diversity, including the biracial protagonist and the twins' two dads.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Orchard Novel series. Illustrated by Natalie Andrewson. New-to-town Peter feels left out when twin sis Olive spends more time with her new friends from Garrison's Apple Orchard (Ice Cream Summer). Through adventures both real and surreal, Peter learns the value of friendship and speaking up for himself. Fans of the realistic predecessor may find this sequel's detour into video-game fantasy somewhat jarring; still, the quick-moving illustrated plot has young-middle-grade appeal.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) YA Contest series. To win $10 million from the mysterious Benefactor, four teenagers must complete a series of ten tasks. Questioning the contest or contacting other contestants brings immediate consequence, and, worse, threatens their families, who desperately need the prize money. As the tasks grow increasingly sinister, the contestants work to outsmart the Benefactor. Despite some editing issues, these hi-lo books are nonetheless thrilling page-turners. Review covers the following Contest titles: Beat the Odds, Break the Code, Raise the Stakes, Stay in the Game, and Turn the Tables.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) YA Contest series. To win $10 million from the mysterious Benefactor, four teenagers must complete a series of ten tasks. Questioning the contest or contacting other contestants brings immediate consequence, and, worse, threatens their families, who desperately need the prize money. As the tasks grow increasingly sinister, the contestants work to outsmart the Benefactor. Despite some editing issues, these hi-lo books are nonetheless thrilling page-turners. Review covers the following Contest titles: Beat the Odds, Break the Code, Raise the Stakes, Stay in the Game, and Turn the Tables.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) YA Contest series. To win $10 million from the mysterious Benefactor, four teenagers must complete a series of ten tasks. Questioning the contest or contacting other contestants brings immediate consequence, and, worse, threatens their families, who desperately need the prize money. As the tasks grow increasingly sinister, the contestants work to outsmart the Benefactor. Despite some editing issues, these hi-lo books are nonetheless thrilling page-turners. Review covers the following Contest titles: Beat the Odds, Break the Code, Raise the Stakes, Stay in the Game, and Turn the Tables.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) YA Contest series. To win $10 million from the mysterious Benefactor, four teenagers must complete a series of ten tasks. Questioning the contest or contacting other contestants brings immediate consequence, and, worse, threatens their families, who desperately need the prize money. As the tasks grow increasingly sinister, the contestants work to outsmart the Benefactor. Despite some editing issues, these hi-lo books are nonetheless thrilling page-turners. Review covers the following Contest titles: Beat the Odds, Break the Code, Raise the Stakes, Stay in the Game, and Turn the Tables.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) YA Contest series. To win $10 million from the mysterious Benefactor, four teenagers must complete a series of ten tasks. Questioning the contest or contacting other contestants brings immediate consequence, and, worse, threatens their families, who desperately need the prize money. As the tasks grow increasingly sinister, the contestants work to outsmart the Benefactor. Despite some editing issues, these hi-lo books are nonetheless thrilling page-turners. Review covers the following Contest titles: Beat the Odds, Break the Code, Raise the Stakes, Stay in the Game, and Turn the Tables.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) 1-3 Dear Molly, Dear Olive series. Illustrated by Lucy Fleming. Through emails and snail-mail, Molly and Olive (pen pals who've never met) sort through day-to-day hiccups. The girls have alternating streaks of good luck and misfortune in Magic; both face friendship problems in Trouble. The chapter books are sweet, though at times heavy-handed with their lessons. Black-and-white drawings bring the girls' misadventures to life. Discussion and writing prompts are included. Glos. Review covers the following Dear Molly, Dear Olive titles: Molly Discovers Magic and Molly Meets Trouble.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) 1-3 Dear Molly, Dear Olive series. Illustrated by Lucy Fleming. Through emails and snail-mail, Molly and Olive (pen pals who've never met) sort through day-to-day hiccups. The girls have alternating streaks of good luck and misfortune in Magic; both face friendship problems in Trouble. The chapter books are sweet, though at times heavy-handed with their lessons. Black-and-white drawings bring the girls' misadventures to life. Discussion and writing prompts are included. Glos. Review covers the following Dear Molly, Dear Olive titles: Molly Discovers Magic and Molly Meets Trouble.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) YA Dario Quincy Academy of Dance series. Five teenage girls investigate eerie occurrences at their prestigious-but-creepy ballet academy. Students' family heirlooms disappear and the friends discover teachers performing a ritual with them (Shadows). Kayley steals a pair of pointe shoes said to grant good luck--but as her dancing improves, her friends get inexplicably injured (Luck). Aimed at reluctant readers, these novels are entertaining if not especially original or characterful. Review covers these Dario Quincy Academy of Dance titles: Leaping at Shadows and Stolen Luck.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) YA Dario Quincy Academy of Dance series. Five teenage girls investigate eerie occurrences at their prestigious-but-creepy ballet academy. Students' family heirlooms disappear and the friends discover teachers performing a ritual with them (Shadows). Kayley steals a pair of pointe shoes said to grant good luck--but as her dancing improves, her friends get inexplicably injured (Luck). Aimed at reluctant readers, these novels are entertaining if not especially original or characterful. Review covers these Dario Quincy Academy of Dance titles: Leaping at Shadows and Stolen Luck.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Creatures of Legend series. These slim books include solid background information about the myths and legends surrounding these creatures from multiple cultures and geographic regions. Also discussed is the creatures' presence in popular culture. The short, simple sentences; wide leading between lines of text; and photos make these approachable books on high-interest topics. Discussion and writing prompts are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Creatures of Legend titles: Unicorns, Dragons, and Sea Monsters.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Essential Health: Living with Health Challenges series. Two pages of "Expert Advice" from a professional working with young people introduce longer chapters covering symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and, most extensively, coping skills. Chapters open with personal stories and close with questions for readers to ponder. Use of the second person and a conversational tone further involve readers although this is less consistent in Autism. Generic color photos are plentiful. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Health: Living with Health Challenges titles: Living with Autism, Living with Celiac Disease, Living with ADHD, and Living with Cancer.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Paranormalists series. Jinx and Jackson are paranormalists--ghost hunters--out to "seek the truth and find the cause!" While the romantic relationship between the pair creates palpable tension, the scare factor leaves something to be desired as each paranormal scenario is neatly explained away. A good, easy read, however, for fans of the SyFy channel's Ghost Hunters and the Paranormal Activity movies.

Reviewer: Meredith M. Sittman

(4) YA Paranormalists series. Jinx and Jackson are paranormalists--ghost hunters--out to "seek the truth and find the cause!" While the romantic relationship between the pair creates palpable tension, the scare factor leaves something to be desired as each paranormal scenario is neatly explained away. A good, easy read, however, for fans of the SyFy channel's Ghost Hunters and the Paranormal Activity movies.

Reviewer: Meredith M. Sittman

(4) K-3 Poetry Builders series. Illustrated by Reginald Butler. These how-to poetry books focus on friends writing poems together. The stories, though contrived, clearly present the characteristics of each form. Teachers will find the volumes useful for making poetry accessible to students. A few helpful writing exercises are appended to each story. Colorful but undistinguished illustrations show a multicultural cast of enthusiastic young writers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Poetry Builders titles: Connor and Clara Build a Concrete Poem, Nina and Nolan Build a Nonsense Poem, Rena and Rio Build a Rhyme, Penelope and Pip Build a Prose Poem, Henry and Hala Build a Haiku, Luke and Leo Build a Limerick, Ana and Adam Build an Acrostic, and Sophie and Sadie Build a Sonnet.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute